Reloadron
Contributing Member
My neighbor brought me a Remington 550-1 literally in a bag with barrel and stock poking out. While over the years I have seen a few I never saw one up close and personal. Seems a friend of his loaned the rifle to his son and to say this rifle was abused would be an understatement. Plenty of light to heavy rust on barrel, receiver and magazine tube. Unique about the rifle is they used a "floating" chamber allowing a semi-automatic to shoot 22 Short, 22 Long and 22 Long Rifle.
I soaked the parts (metal) overnight in mineral spirits and washed the stock which was literally black with dirt. I scrubbed the stock with TSP and it actually cleaned up, heck you could see wood grain. Treated the wood with liquid gold and to even my surprise it looked good. The rear sight elevator was a nail which was ground down (creative) so I replaced it with an elevator I had in my junk box, seemed a good fit.
Looking online I began to assemble this rifle painstakingly and finally got things all cleaned and together. These are really nice rifles. My guess was around maybe 1947 since it was a dash one. The 550 used a dual extractor but the 550-1 went to a single extractor. Took me several tries and some frustration but I finally had what I thought to be a working rifle.
Told my wife to expect some popping sounds and went to the basement with a box of 22 LR, the rifle and a smile. The best I can manage is 35 feet but my concern was functionality. Damn, that little rifle shot great! The barrel outside still shows signs of the rust and abuse but the 550-1 was a great little shooter delivering tight little groups. Oh yeah, I also replaced the butt plate which was broken and held with an extra screw drilled into the stock. I had a "close enough" fitting butt plate. If the owner wants closer on a free job he can sand the thing.
I decided next 550 I see, in real nice condition, I will buy. Really sweet little 22 rifle and I have a stash of old 22 rifles to include a 510, 511 and 512 Remingtons. I feel the need (OK, nice to have) of a Remington 550. Granted 35 feet is nothing to write about but such a tight set of 5 shot groups with off the shelf American Eagle 22 LR was impressive.
Anyone else out there enjoying a Remington 550?
Ron
I soaked the parts (metal) overnight in mineral spirits and washed the stock which was literally black with dirt. I scrubbed the stock with TSP and it actually cleaned up, heck you could see wood grain. Treated the wood with liquid gold and to even my surprise it looked good. The rear sight elevator was a nail which was ground down (creative) so I replaced it with an elevator I had in my junk box, seemed a good fit.
Looking online I began to assemble this rifle painstakingly and finally got things all cleaned and together. These are really nice rifles. My guess was around maybe 1947 since it was a dash one. The 550 used a dual extractor but the 550-1 went to a single extractor. Took me several tries and some frustration but I finally had what I thought to be a working rifle.
Told my wife to expect some popping sounds and went to the basement with a box of 22 LR, the rifle and a smile. The best I can manage is 35 feet but my concern was functionality. Damn, that little rifle shot great! The barrel outside still shows signs of the rust and abuse but the 550-1 was a great little shooter delivering tight little groups. Oh yeah, I also replaced the butt plate which was broken and held with an extra screw drilled into the stock. I had a "close enough" fitting butt plate. If the owner wants closer on a free job he can sand the thing.
I decided next 550 I see, in real nice condition, I will buy. Really sweet little 22 rifle and I have a stash of old 22 rifles to include a 510, 511 and 512 Remingtons. I feel the need (OK, nice to have) of a Remington 550. Granted 35 feet is nothing to write about but such a tight set of 5 shot groups with off the shelf American Eagle 22 LR was impressive.
Anyone else out there enjoying a Remington 550?
Ron